No backwards compatability for Xenon

gekko · 06-21-2004, 12:21 PM

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content...e=dev&aid=3645

Quote:

No backward compatibility in Xbox 2

Rob Fahey 16:15 21/06/2004

Because two boxes under the TV are as good as one, apparently

Sources close to Microsoft's senior Xbox executives have confirmed that the company does not intend to make its next-generation console, which is set to be launched by late 2005, backwards compatible with existing Xbox software.

Speculation about the backwards compatibility functionality has been rife since it emerged that Xbox 2 - codenamed Xenon - will have radically different hardware to the original system, with a non-x86 processor, no hard drive and an ATI, rather than NVIDIA, graphics chipset, all of which would make running Xbox titles on the platform very difficult.

It was widely believed, however, that Microsoft had retained a team of hardware emulation experts to work on the problem - although concerns over the viability of such an endeavour were voiced by some experts, especially regarding the company's ability to emulate the functions of the graphics unit in the Xbox without violating NVIDIA's intellectual property rights.

GamesIndustry.biz has now learned that Microsoft does not plan to provide any backwards compatibility in the next-generation Xenon platform - and indeed, that senior executives at the company don't believe backwards compatibility to be an important feature for consoles.

According to a source close to the project, internal Microsoft figures suggest that only 10 per cent of PlayStation 2 purchasers were interested in the console's ability to play titles developed for the original PlayStation.

Although this still represents some seven million consumers on a global basis - which is around half of Microsoft's entire installed base for Xbox - the company apparently believes that allowing consumers to play existing Xbox titles on the next-generation hardware would not be a significant deciding factor for Xenon purchasers.

However, a report into the videogames industry published today by Wedbrush Morgan Securities senior vice president Michael Pachter disagrees with this conclusion - arguing that failing to provide backward compatibility could have the effect of alienating Microsoft's existing Xbox installed base.

"In the event that Xbox Next is not backward compatible, we think that the device will be very slow to grow its footprint," the report warns, while elsewhere it suggests that such a move could damage the company's long-term prospects for the console.

"We do expect Microsoft to launch its console first, perhaps as early as 2005," says Pachter. "Should it choose to do so without backward compatibility or significant third-party software support, we expect to see its first-mover advantage evaporate."

Thank God!

Now, let me do a quick recap here...

- No backwards compatibility
- Multiprocessor IBM PowerPC setup
- PowerMac G5 dev kits
- No more off-the-shelf components
- No stupid-ass starter kit necessary to play online

Hot damn Microsoft! You're off to a good start! Now, if we can only work on that HD issue...

Jonbo298 · 06-21-2004, 12:27 PM

I like consoles being backwards compatible because then you can continue playing any new games for the last console while starting to play new games on the new console. For this reason why MS isn't doing it I guess would be valid enough because they are deciding to do a 180 on almost everything the current xbox has.

gekko · 06-21-2004, 12:47 PM

You already own the last console, keep playing it.

PS2 might have used memory sticks, but it was backwards compatible, so they had to use the same style of memory card. I'd rather have memory sticks.

Xenon might use flash cards to save games, or hell, SD cards. You could build microphone controls straight into the controller, and have a small SD card slot, and you could get rid of those stupid slots. But then again, if it were backwards compatible, you would need those slots.

Maybe Microsoft wants to move the 2 B&W buttons to become 2 additional shoulder buttons (for the love of god, don't), that would completely **** up your old Xbox games.

Classic Rocker · 06-21-2004, 12:51 PM

Damn. Backwards compatabilty is big for me because I don't like having a lot of consoles near my TV. It takes up to much space. I would've loved Xbox 2 to be backwards compatable. Ah well..can't win them all

Null · 06-21-2004, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gekko

You already own the last console, keep playing it.

PS2 might have used memory sticks, but it was backwards compatible, so they had to use the same style of memory card. I'd rather have memory sticks.

Xenon might use flash cards to save games, or hell, SD cards. You could build microphone controls straight into the controller, and have a small SD card slot, and you could get rid of those stupid slots. But then again, if it were backwards compatible, you would need those slots.

Maybe Microsoft wants to move the 2 B&W buttons to become 2 additional shoulder buttons (for the love of god, don't), that would completely **** up your old Xbox games.

its differnt for different companies, sony can do it because sony has no desire to change the PS controller. and not many would want them to. The Mem cards were different slightly (as they couldnt be used ps2 mem for ps1 games and the other way) but i would also prefer mem sticks, and if they do use the mem sticks they could still use backwards compatability. for i dont care about the old saves.

Backwards combatability is nice as long as it does not limit future development. in sonys case if it doesnt prevent them from doing anything new then i'm all for it. because i can sell off the old console and still play it.

but if it comes down to that or new features then i'd gladly take the new features over it.

tarakan69 · 06-21-2004, 01:08 PM

No backward compatiability really gets to me...

1. More money to spend on X-Box 1 (What if it dies)
2. No feeling of legacy.
3. Less value
4. Less motivation to get a console's successor early in it's life span, and buy games today.
5. More organized entertainment center
6. Revisting classics... Chrono Cross, Final Fantasy 7, Metal Gear Solid, Jet Sert Radio Future, Panzer Dragoon: Orta etc...
7. Games like Prince Of Persia 2 I will buy for GCN/PS2 because X-Box version (Even if it will slightly better)will not be not be usable on next-gen consoles.

TheGame · 06-21-2004, 02:13 PM

Backward compatibility is not a feature I use very much with my Ps2... The feature itself being on the Ps2 hasn't affected my opinion on Ps2 at all, in a positive or negitive manner.

GameMaster · 06-21-2004, 02:24 PM

What a lousy rip-off! So, what I am supposed to do with my Xbox when it's sequel comes out? Play it? Nope, can't do that, you have to store it away and make room for the new console. Thanks for making me throw my own money away Microsoft.

Null · 06-21-2004, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGame

Backward compatibility is not a feature I use very much with my Ps2... The feature itself being on the Ps2 hasn't affected my opinion on Ps2 at all, in a positive or negitive manner.

affected me. basically like getting $50 back on my PS2 without actually giving up anything.

thats the main reason why i like backwards compatability, i wont ever sell a console because the money i'd get isnt worth what i put in. However when i get a system thats backwards compatable, example, PS2, its like getting another PS1 free, then i have 2 ps1's which means i sell one of them and i still have one.

Typhoid · 06-21-2004, 02:40 PM

Yes, i agree, backwards compatibility is awesome.

When my brother bought a PS2, it was about the time i wanted a PS1, just to play old games, but hey, i didnt have to.

I think its a major major major selling point to have backwards compatibilty.

Vampyr · 06-21-2004, 05:55 PM

I agree with Null and Typhoid. I never owned a PS1, but when I bought my PS2, it opened up TWO huge libraries of games that I hadnt gotten to play yet.

TheGame · 06-22-2004, 12:17 PM

Good point on being able to sell your PSones... I guess that was a nice little plus it had when I first purchased it too. I don't think if it would have changed my purchase or not however.

But then again, there is another pretty big difference between Ps1 Backward compatability, and Xbox backward compatability... the Hard drive. Of course, like every problem, there is a solution, but is it a path any company would realy want to take? It's about the same as Ps2's backward compatibility not allowing the same memory cards.

tarakan69 · 06-22-2004, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGame

But then again, there is another pretty big difference between Ps1 Backward compatability, and Xbox backward compatability... the Hard drive. Of course, like every problem, there is a solution, but is it a path any company would realy want to take? It's about the same as Ps2's backward compatibility not allowing the same memory cards.

Well that raises the question. Is MS even SERIOUS about online gaming?

Sure FPS, Racing, and sports are nice.

But what gives online it's real meat are MMORPGs... Taking out the HD kills that possibility.

Sure you can argue about alternative storage methods... but it's highly unlikely we will see the amount of storage space necessary for a MMORPG.

1. No HD
2. No Backward compatiabilty (VERY dissapointing)

X-Box 2 is a step backwards, no matter which way you look at it.

Bond · 06-22-2004, 05:01 PM

Xbox!!!! Xbox!!!!! THE NAME OF THE CONSOLE IS Xbox!!!!!

Null · 06-22-2004, 05:11 PM

bond, i've been fighting that battle since it came out....... some people just like giving it its own name

oddly tho you never see em calling it Play-Station 2 or Game-Cube

what possesses them to put that - in there for xbox is behond me.

BTW, tarak, what gives online gaming its real meat is downloads, updates, mods, extra cars characters and maps and stuff.

that is what no hard drive is killing.